Screwdriver with registering chamber magazine handle



July 13, 1965 w, WAGNER 3,194,286

SCREWDRIVER WITH REGISTERING CHAMBER MAGAZINE HANDLE Filed March 29,1962 William F. Wagner INVENTOR.

4253: Maul/ 12M United States Patent 3,194,286 SQREWDRHVER WITHREGISTERING CHAMEER MAGAZINE HANDLE William F. Wagner, Qanyon City,Greg. (301 NW. 4th Ave, John Day, Greg.) Filed Mar. 29, 1962, Ser. No.183,497 3 Claims. (Cl. 145-63) This invention relates generally to newand useful improvements in screwdrivers and has for its primary objectto provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tool of thischaracter comprising a multiplicity of selectively usable bits ofvarious sizes and types which may be expeditiously brought into workingposition as they are needed.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide, in amultiple-bit screwdriver of the type including a rotary cylinder havinga plurality of chambers therein, novel means for frictionally securingsaid cylinder against rotation.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide animproved screwdriver of the aforementioned character which embodiesunique chuck means for securing the selected bit in working or operativeposition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiplebit screwdriverof the character set forth wherein access may be readily had to theinterior of the device when necessary.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a screwdriver of thecharacter set forth which is comparatively simple in construction,strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufacturedat low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of a screwdriver constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale through thetool, taken substantially on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on the line 44 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a similar view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale,taken substantially on the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on the line 66 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially on the line 7-7 of FIG- URE 3; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary View in vertical section through the upperportion of the device, taken substantially on the line 88 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises ahandle of metal or other suitable material which is designated generallyby reference numeral 9. The handle 9 includes a knurled cylindricaltubular upper portion 10 providing a cylindrical compartment or chamber11 which is open at its upper end. Below the cylindrical portion 19thereof, the handle 9 further includes a tapered lower portion 12 havingtherein a duct 13 which communicates with the compartment 11. Theportion 12 of the handle 9 terminates at its lower end in a chuck 14having a bore or passage 15 therein which receives and retains theselected bit in working position,

3,l%,28 Patented July 13, i955 as indicated at 16. Of course, the boreor passage 15 of the chuck 14 is in communication with the duct 13 forreceiving the bits therefrom. The bore or passage 15 of the chuck 14includes a square upper end portion 17 the purpose of which will bepresently set forth.

Mounted centrally in the compartment ii is a stationary removable shaft18. The shaft 18 comprises a threaded lower end portion 19 which isadapted to be screwed tightly into a socket 29 provided therefor in thetop of the portion 12 of the handle 9 for rigidly but rernovablysecuring the shaft in position. At its upper end, the shaft 18 isprovided with a kerfed head 21.

Mounted for rotation on the shaft 18 in the compartment if is a slidablyremovable cylinder 22 having extending longitudinally therethrough aplurality of cylindrical chambers 2 for the reception of a plurality ofthe bits 16 of various sizes and types. The chambers 24 are adapted tobe brought selectively into registry with the duct 13.

Mounted on the upper portion of the shaft 18 is an operating cap or knob23 for the cylinder 22. A pin 25 (see FIGURE 8) operatively connects theknob 23 to the cylinder 22. The central vertical opening 26 in the knob23 receives the shaft 18. The opening or bore 26 includes an enlarged orcounterbored upper end portion 27 which accommodates the head 21 of theshaft 18. The enlargement 27 also accommodates the coil spring 28 whichencircles the shaft 18 and which is engaged under tension beneath thehead 21 for yieldingly urging the knob 23 and the cylinder 22downwardly. Indicia 29 in the form of numbers on the knob 23 iscooperable with a mark or the like 3h on the handle 9 for bringing aparticular chamber 2 with the desired bit or tool 16 therein intoregistry with the duct 13.

The cylinder 10 is provided, in its upper portion, withcircumferentially spaced depressions or dimples 31, one for each of thechambers 24, as shown to advantage in FIGURE 4 of the drawing. Thedimples or sockets 31 are for the reception of a ball detent 32 (seeFIGURE 4) for releasably securing the chamber 22 in rotatably adjustedposition in the compartment 11. A coil spring 33 engages the ball detent32 in the sockets or dimples 31 in an obvious manner.

The bits 16 comprise on their upper ends identical square heads 34 whichare engageable in the enlarged square upper portion 17 of the chuck bore15 for suspending the bits in the chuck and connecting said bits theretofor rotation in unison therewith. The square heads 34 have extendingtherearcund grooves or channels 35 for the reception of an anchoring pin3-5 which is mounted tangentially in an opening or bore 37 providedtherefor in the chuck 14. Thus, the selected bit 16 is releasablysecured in working position in the chuck it.

It is thought that the use of the tool will be readily apparent from aconsideration of the foregoing. Briefly, to bring a particular bit 16into position for use, the tool is held in an upright position orinverted. Through the medium of the knob 23, the chamber 22 is rotatablyadjusted to bring the chamber 24 with the desired bit 16 therein intoregistry with the duct 13. This is rea ily accomplished by consultingthe indicia 29, 39 as will be understood. The tool is now returned to anupright position and the selected bit 16 slides by gravity through theduct 13 and drops downwardly through the chuck 14 in which it is heldsuspended by the square head 34 engaging in the portion 17 of saidchuck. The pin 36 is then inserted and the tool is ready for use.

The duct 13 is shaped as indicated at 38 to permit the headed bits toalign readily with the bore or passage 15 in the chuck 14. Of course, toreturn the selected bit 16 to its respective cylinder chamber 24, thepin 37 is removed and the tool is again inverted. Ac-

cess to the interior of the compartment 11 and the elements therein maybe quickly had by unscrewing the threaded shaft 18, this permittingremoval of the knob 23 with the shaft 18 thereon. A central bore 39through the'cylinder 22 accommodates the shaft '18. It will be notedthatin the embodiment shown the pin '35 may be inserted in the chuck 14and removed therefrom in either direction. If desired, a suitable lockor retainer may be'provided for the pin 36, The coil spring 28yieldingly urges the knob 23' downwardly on the cylinder 22 with thecoupling pin 25 therebetween and in this manner said cylinder isyieldingly secured against longitudinal movement in the compartment 11.It Will be understood that the, heads 34 of the bits 16 may be of anysuitable noncircular shape other than square, I as shown, this alsoapplying to the enlarged upper end portion 17 of the chuck bore orpassage 15.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and'operation shown anddescribed, and, accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within'the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows: V 9 1. A screwdriver comprising atubular handle having an enlarged longitudinal duct therein, a cylinder,means rotatably mounting the cylinder in the handle, said cylinderhaving a plurality of chambers therein selectively regis terable with afirst end of the duct upon rotation of the cylinder, means foractuatingthe cylinder, bits 'mounted in the chambers, and a chuck on oneend of the handle, said chuck having a bore therein communicatingwiththe opposite end of the duct for slidably receiving the bits bygravity therethrough from the chambers, said bore having a substantiallycircular cross-section smaller in diameter than saidduct, said bore alsohaving an enlarged upper, end, said, upper endbeing square incross-section and having a smaller cross-sec.- tional area than theduct, said bits being substantially circular in cross-section andselectively receivable through said bore, the upper end portion of eachbit being square in cross-section and snugly receivable withinthe'square upper end of the bore ,ina manner so as to equally en-- gageall four equal length sides of the upper end portion tot-the bitwith thefour. sides of the upper end of the bore, andreleasab1e means forlocking a bit withinthe chuck bore.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the square upper end portion of eachbit has an :annular groove thereabout between the upper and lower limitsof this end portion, said means for locking the bit'within the boreincluding a passage extending transversely completely through the chuckand intersecting the square upper end of the bore, said passage beingoff center so as to pass along a portion of the annular groove of a bitpositioned within the chuck, and a removable pin positionedwithin 1 thepassage and extending completely across and beyond the intersectedportion of the square upper end of the bore so as. to lie within thegroove of an included bit so as to prevent retraction of the bit. a t r3. A screwdriver com risin a tubular handlehavin I an enlargedlongitudinal duct therein, a cylinder, means rotatably mounting thecylinder in the handle,v said cylinder having a plurality of chamberstherein selectively registrable with a firsttencl of the ductuponrotation of the cylinder, means for'actuating the. cylinder, bitsmounted in the chambers, and a chuck on one end of the handle, saidchuck having a :bore therein communicating with the opposite ;end of theduct for slidably' receiving the bits by gravity therethrough from thechambers, said bore having a substantially circular cross-see tionsmaller in diameter'than said duct, said bore also having an enlargedupper end, said upper end being rectangular in cross-section and havinga smallercross-sec-v 'tiona'larea than the duct,- said bits beingsubstantially f circular in cross se'ction and selectively receivablethrough;

' said bore,'the'upper'end portion of each'bitbeing rectangular ,incross:section' and snugly receivable Within the rectangular upper, endof the bore in a manner so as to engage all tour sidesjof the upper endportion ofthe bit with the four sides of the upper end of the bore, therectangular upper ,enclportioniofeach bit having an annulartgroovethereabout betweenthe upper and lower limits of' this end portion, and:releasablemeans for locking a bit with the chuck bjorefsaid means forlocking the bi t within the boreincluding a passage extendingtransversely completely. through the chuck and intersecting therectangular upper end of the bore, said passage being ofi-center so asto pass along a portion of the annular groove: of a bit. positionedwithin the chuclg'and a removable pinfpositioned;withingthe pas.-sageand extending completely across andcbeyond the intersected portionof the rectangulargupper end of the bore'so as to ,lie within the grooveof an included bit,

so as.to prevent retraction of the .bitJ,

" References Cited by the'Examinen. UNITEDPSTATES, PATENTS 'MILTONMS.MEH EMmmer,

1. A SCREWDRIVER COMPRISING A TUBULAR HANDLE HAVING AN ENLARGEDLONGITUDINAL DUCT THEREIN, A CYLINDER, MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTING THECYLINDER IN THE HANDLE, SAID CYLINDER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CHAMBERSTHEREIN SELECTIVELY REGISTERABLE WITH A FIRST END OF THE DUCT UPONROTATION OF THE CYLINDER, MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE CYLINDER, BITS MOUNTEDIN THE CHAMBERS, AND A CHUCK ON ONE END OF THE HANDLE, SAID CHUCK HAVINGA BORE THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH THE OPPOSITE END OF THE DUCT FORSLIDABLY RECEIVING THE BITS BY GRAVITY THERETHROUGH FROM THE CHAMBERS,SAID BORE HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION SMALLER INDIAMETER THAN SAID DUCT, SAID BORE ALSO HAVING AN ENLARGED UPPER END,SAID UPPER END BEING SQUARE IN CROSS-SECTION AND HAVING A SMALLERCROSS-SECTIONAL AREA THAN THE DUCT, SAID BITS BEING SUBSTANTIALLYCIRCULAR IN CROSS-SECTION AND SELECTIVELY RECEIVABLE THROUGH SAID BORE,THE UPPER END PORTION OF EACH BIT BEING SQUARE